In October 2008 I was appointed Parliamentary Under Secretary in the newly formed Department of Energy and Climate Change (www.decc.gov.uk) (between July 2007 and October 2008 I was a Minister in DEFRA).
This is a huge privilege and I am delighted to be part of Gordon Brown’s government. Working as a minister is demanding but also deeply rewarding. The issues I cover are:
Delivering a low carbon economy and ensuring secure and affordable energy supply – with a focus on energy consumers.
Specifically:
- Taking forward the Government’s fuel poverty policy and specifically, delivering the PM’s fuel bills initiative
- Energy savings (in the residential sector)
- Carbon Reduction Commitment
- Behaviour change and Act on CO2
- Climate Change Agreements
- Bill Minister for the Climate Change Bill
Supporting the Secretary of State on international negotiations on climate change and in promoting national debate in the run up to Copenhagen.
Also responsible for working with wider government departments to support the climate change/ energy agenda.
Joan Ruddock MP with an eagle during a ministerial biodiversity visit to Scotland while at DEFRA.
